This post was written and updated by several moms in the DC area.
One of my favorite childhood memories is attending Christmas Eve services with my grandparents. We didn’t start this tradition until I was in late elementary. I don’t want to wait that long to start this tradition with my children, so I found some family-friendly Christmas Eve services in the DC area. Please comment below if you know of one we do not have listed. Happy Holidays and enjoy the season and activities with family and friends!
Tuesday, December 24, 2024
Washington, DC Christmas Eve Services
Luther Place Memorial Church
1226 Vermont Ave., NW
5:00 pm in-person & livestream, 9:00 pm in-person
National Cathedral
3101 Wisconsin Ave., NW
All passes are required and are sold out. But enjoy a livestream!
The family service Monday, Dec. 23, at 11 am. Christmas Lesson Service on Monday, December 23 and 24 at 6:00 pm.
National Presbyterian Church
4101 Nebraska Ave., NW
5:00 pm family nativity service, 8:00 pm & 10:00 pm traditional in-person & online
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
400 Michigan Ave., NE
4:30 pm, 9:00 pm, 10:00 pm, and 10:30 pm
National United Methodist Church
3401 Nebraska Ave., NW
Family-friendly at 4:00 pm, Christmas Carols at 6:00 pm, Candle light at 8:00 pm
Maryland Christmas Eve Services
North Bethesda United Methodist Church
10100 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda
5:00 pm and 9:00 pm
Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church
6601 Bradley Blvd, Bethesda
4:00 pm family service, 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm are candle light services
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
11900 Darnestown Road, Gaithersburg
4:00 pm family and 7:00 pm traditional
Evangelical Lutheran Church
31 E Church Street, Frederick
1:00 pm traditional, 4:00 pm children’s, 7:00 pm contemporary, 10:00 pm traditional
Journey’s Crossing
12900 Cloverleaf Center Drive, Germantown
2:30, 4:00, and 5:30 pm, *ASL interpretation offered at all services
Virginia Christmas Eve Services
Trinity United Methodist Church
2911 Cameron Mills Road, Alexandria
4:00 pm
Cherry Dale Baptist Church
3910 Lorcom Lane, Arlington
5:30 pm
St. John’s Lutheran Church
5952 Franconia Road, Alexandria
5:30 pm family mass and 7:00 pm traditional
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
228 South Pitt Street, Alexandria
12:00 (contemplative), 2:00 and 4:00 (family service), 6:00 and 10:00 pm (candle light)
First Baptist Church of Alexandria
2932 King Street, Alexandria
4:00 pm in-person & online and 5:30 pm in-person
Immanuel Bible Church
6911 Braddock Rd, Springfield
4:00 (children’s), 6:00 and 7:30 (traditional)
Lewinsville Presbyterian Church
1724 Chain Bridge Road, McLean
11:00 am (family), 6:00 pm (choir), 7:00 and 9:30 pm (candle light)
Grace Hill Church
901 Locust Street, Herndon
4:00 pm family service
Another kid-friendly Catholic option:
Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament
3630 Quesada St NW
4pm (Children’s Liturgy)
Thank you for letting us know!
Don’t forget St. Paul’s K Street! 4:30 Sung Mass, very kid friendly. Last year kids led the procession and placed the figures into the crèche. It was precious.
We’ll be having a cookie reception after, too, so bring your sweet tooth!
2430 K Street NW, in Foggy Bottom.
The Lutheran Church of St. Andrew in Silver Spring (New Hampshire Ave) has a special Christmas Carol and Contemporary Praise Service with Children’s Message at 6pm, in addition to the other Child-Friendly services at 2pm and 4pm.
Restoration Anglican Church in Arlington
has a 3pm service geared for children and families. During the ‘candlelight’ portion, we will have glow sticks available for children. Kids are encouraged to dress as their favorite character from the Nativity story! Nursery is available for children up to age 3. This service is also streamed live on the YouTube channel.
There are also services at 5 & 8pm.
Church of the Reedemer in Gaithersburg MD.
Christmas Eve services at 3pm, 5pm, and 7pm.
For next year, we recommend National Community Church. The services are family friendly and include a live nativity for the kids! https://national.cc/events